DipAVN

Re: DipAVN

Helen Brewster — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 14:32:28 GMT

Hi - I am currently on the second year of the Myerscough course. So I thought I would add some info for you all!!

Basically . . . . I work in a standard first opinion practice - we are a TP and Tier 2, you def DONT need to do referral work as long as you do all usual nursing duties regularly. Yes you need to do an essay and an interview prior to being accepted - the reason being to ensure that you are capable of a certain standard, to prevent drop-outs etc.

You do four weekends a year - fridays from 3pm and full day sat and most of sun - normally finish at around 3-4pm. Usually one in Sept, Dec, Feb and April. The idea being for you to meet other students, have lectures, practicals and generally meet everyone face to face - I find it really really helpful, esp if struggling with an assignment!! Rest of lectures are via mollnet - their online secure website.

First year is two year long modules and two half modules (adding up to three total). Four assignment and two written exams (for the full modules), which you can take either up at Myerscough or at your practice (but must have quiet place to take exam and an invigilator - can be RVN or vet at your practice).

Second year is three full modules chosen from a total of five, caselog type assignments for each module and exams for each modules - written and practical.

Costs are about £1000 each year - can pay monthly to spread cost. Obviously books and accomadation are on the top. College can give a full list of good, cheap accomadation near by.

I really enjoy the course and will def chose again. Great support and fab, enthusiastic lecturers - who dont mind lots of emails and phone calls from panicky students!!

The above gets you the dip in higher educational clinical veterinary nursing - to top up to the dipAVN, you do a mini-dissertation from May-Dec after second year and thats it! Can go on from there to top up to the degree if you wish.

Any further questions please ask - hope that helps!!

Re: DipAVN

Sandra Taylor RVN, MBVNA — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 13:42:10 GMT

Hi Beth, yes you need to do an essay, they send out the title of the essay etc with the application pack.

Re: DipAVN

bethw186 — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 18:34:51 GMT

I am leaning more towards going with Myerscough as they are not too far away from me. When I spoke to them they said I had to just send in my application and they would write to me saying if I had been accepted, but some nurses at work said they had to do an essay......

What is anyone elses experience of the application process?

Re: DipAVN

danielle83 — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 15:22:33 GMT

After extensive comms with RCVS, RVC and Myerscough this is what I found out.

The RVC award is only accredited toward DipAVN for some core modules and anaesthesia and diagnostic imaging electives this total 90 HE credits. Only 80 credits can be ported to another learning institute toward the DipAVN. So basically 80 credits can be transferred to myerscough where it is necessary to complete two elective module and half a core module. It is necessary to gain 120 credits for DipAVN contrary to other data supplied! Then an integrative project must be undertaken followed by an exam. The myerscough course involves 5 residential weekends and the additional cost totals approx £1800 plus accommodation and the extra duration is approximately a year! Its so complicated! The RCVS also charge £50 per year for registration and banking of credits!

I am personally currently enrolled with the RVC and have decided to register with the RCVS to ensure my modular credits are banked and I'll see how things stand with regards to additional module with another institute once my GdVN course is complete hopefully full accreditation will be recieved in the meantime.

Re: DipAVN

Maisy — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 21:01:21 GMT

For the time being it is. Over the next few years other colleges may become approved though.

Re: DipAVN

Nikki Morris — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 20:55:00 GMT

I want to do the RCVS Dip AVN, but is Myerscough College the only place you can do it? I know RVC does their own one, but would prefer to do the RCVS one

Re: DipAVN

Maisy — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 19:00:32 GMT

Certain modules can be used towards the DipAVN at the moment, but really it looks as though if you want to top up it would be quite costly as effectively having to pay for the two courses. The RVC dip is great so far though and am pleased I started it.

Re: DipAVN

hobbits — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 15:41:01 GMT

Maisy,

is the RVC course now accredited? So you can use it plus the extra module to get the DipAVN?

Am thinking about it but would rather go through the RVC than myerscough!

Thanks!

Sam :-)

Re: DipAVN

Maisy — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 09:44:27 GMT

I'm doing the RVC Diploma at the moment, and it is recommended that you work in a Tier 2 practice or one at an equivalent level. The practice just needs to be at the standard, not specifically registered as that

Re: DipAVN

dinkyd — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 19:33:51 GMT

Hey Nick so who did your nurses do the course with then?It was the Myerscough website i looked at but dont think our boss is for going for teir 2 status - though iv no doubt we would have any probs getting it!

Re: DipAVN

sazzle — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 18:57:07 GMT

hiya.

Im in a tier2 TP and that is sufficient (no necessity to do referral work)

You do have to have an appointed memberof staff to mentor you, but they dont have to be an assessor...they could be a good qualified nurse or vet...someone you can talk to easily, ask questions (and get the correct answer which is simple to understand) and to read thru your work if you want them to (that bit will be done by the teachers at college tho!)

The main bit for me was how much it cost...but my practice is being VERY generous and paying all costs for me. There isnt any accom with the course either so you have to find somewhere to stay...sounds like there are a few of us at premier inn this year!

Re: DipAVN

Nick Shackleton — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 16:13:35 GMT

We are not Teir two and two of our nurses have jsut done the course

Althou just looked at Myerscough website:

"The minimum qualification for entry will be a tariff agreement of Level 1 complete, ie studentsmust be qualified veterinary nurses, listed on the RCVS register on either the Equine or Small Animal list, relevant to their intended award and have a minimum of one year of post-qualification experience, taken from the date of first registration on the relevant part of the List.

During studies the student is required to be employed in, or have agreed access to placement in a suitable veterinary clinical environment for a minimum of 12 weeks annually. This must be a general practice which is able to demonstrate a minimum of RCVS PSS tier 2 or Training Practice (TP) standard. A memorandum of agreement must be supplied by the practice indicating both its status and willingness to support the student during the course.

Students studying clinical option modules must spend a minimum of four full-time weeks per 20 credit option working in a directly relevant clinical setting. This may involve placement at a specialist practice. A similar memorandum of agreement as above will be required in this case."

Re: DipAVN

dinkyd — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 15:45:04 GMT

The way i understood it the practice has to be a teir 2 practice and if not then you must spend 12wks in a teir 2 practice.We not teir 2 so i cant do it.BOO!

Re: DipAVN

Sandra Taylor RVN, MBVNA — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 18:39:56 GMT

Hi Kezza, you can be in a first opinion practice, and no you dont need a mentor, but from what I can remember you have to do some weeks in a referal practice as well, I think that is in the 2nd yr.Maybe that has changed, prob someone who is already in 2nd yr will be able to answer that one better.

Re: DipAVN

Kerry Spain — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 08:46:18 GMT

Can I just ask what sort of practice you have to be in to take the DipAVN?

I mean can you still do it if your in a first opinion practice and do you need an assessor or any special person to mentour you?

Re: DipAVN

Sandra Taylor RVN, MBVNA — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 23:21:07 GMT

Thanks Sazzle, when I went for my interview the taxis cost me 40 quid, 20 each way

Re: DipAVN

sazzle — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 22:54:56 GMT

when i did my training at i aways got a taxi from the train station ... never really cost that much...and its direct to prem inn then....i can give you number of company i used...they were always very good, polite and on time.

Re: DipAVN

Sandra Taylor RVN, MBVNA — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 21:29:32 GMT

Here I am Sazzle has said it all though, you get to Diplomas after 2 1/2 yrs.

I cant wait to get started. I was thinking of driving then the train, then driving again......now I am thinking I might take the train, as it will save me 4 hours of driving, plus I can get home at a decent time on the wednesday.

Anyone from preston know what buses go from the train station to the college...or the prem inn in Bilsborrow?

Re: DipAVN

sazzle — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 17:05:57 GMT

no no no....im currently on the dipavn...well i start on the 7th sept!

Its a 2yr course (part time/distance learning) With 1/2yr added onto the end to complete the dissertation...after doing the dissertation you get your dipavn

(so effectivly its 2 1/2 yrs with 2 qualifications at the end : Diploma of higher education in clinical veterinary nursing AND Diploma in advanced veterinary nursing)

It costs around £2500 - £3000 with accomodation costs on top

But you only have around 21 days at college and the written exams are done in works time (or at college)

There are a few of us on here that are starting next week...STRVN will probably pop along soon and offer some advice too!